Tully’s Teitzel earns Maroons call-up in ‘profound era’
ROMY Teitzel has launched herself into the State of Origin spotlight, and believes the foundations being laid now in women’s rugby league will be looked back on as historic revolutions.
The North Queensland Gold Stars captain was named in Queensland’s 19-woman squad to take on NSW, joined by teammate Shaniah Power.
Should she make the final 17, the 22-year-old will be part of a breakthrough moment, with the June 25 clash to be the first in which both teams are coached by women.
After the announcements that Tahnee Norris and Kylie Hilder would go head to head in the famed contest, the NRLW was then confirmed for an expansion to six teams this season.
For Teitzel, these moves have only highlighted the rapid trajectory the game is heading in.
As she enters Maroons camp for the final chance to impress for a debut, she said this could be the time she looks back on as one which helped kickstart a profound era for the code.
The fullback said she now felt an extra responsibility to be a beacon for North Queensland talent aspiring for the elite levels to look towards.
“The impact women are having on rugby league at the moment is amazing and the fact we have two female coaches is unreal,” Teitzel said.
Teitzel’s rise to the Origin ranks has been a whirlwind, having only taken up the sport two years ago. In 2019 when she moved to Townsville from her Tully hometown she joined the Western Lions, winning the premiership and earning Gold Stars selection in the process.
She moved to Brisbane last year to play for Wests Panthers, was named in the Broncos squad, then made her NRLW debut against the Roosters.
With NQ rugby league hero Jenni-Sue Hoepper moving on from the game, Teitzel was awarded the Gold Stars captaincy and guided the team to a semi-finals appearance.
She was not surprised that only two North Queenslanders made the Maroons, but said more would enter the arena before too long.